Kim Jong Un commissions another nuclear-powered destroyer
Photo: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (Getty Images)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un commissions a second destroyer with a displacement of about 5,000 metric tons for the country's navy. He states that the ship will become part of the DPRK's nuclear deterrent, according to Bloomberg.
Kang Kon destroyer
The DPRK's new destroyer has been named Kang Kon. The ceremony marking its commissioning took place on September 6 at the port of Wonsan on North Korea's east coast.
According to Kim Jong Un, the ship must be capable of delivering a powerful retaliatory strike against the enemy. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called it part of the country's nuclear response system.
At the same time, North Korean state media does not specify exactly what kind of nuclear weapons the destroyer might be equipped with. It is known that the ship has weapon systems similar to those of the first destroyer of this class—the Choe Hyon.
North Korea states that various types of missiles can be launched from it, including those capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
North Korea will continue to expand its naval forces
Kim Jong Un states that North Korea must transform its navy into a full-fledged nuclear force. According to him, Pyongyang will continue to develop new ships and other strategic weapons.
The Kang Kon will join the DPRK Navy's Eastern Fleet. Its mission is described as protecting the country's maritime sovereignty and strengthening nuclear deterrence.
Kim also states that Pyongyang is working on a large-scale plan to strengthen its naval forces and promises to demonstrate a new phase of this program in about eight months.
The second destroyer was commissioned less than three months after the first ship of this class—the Choe Hyon. North Korea is thus accelerating the deployment of ships with potential nuclear capabilities along both of its coasts.
Destroyer had previously been involved in an accident
The construction of the Kang Kon was plagued by problems. During its first launch attempt in May 2025, the ship partially capsized. It was subsequently repaired and relaunched.
In July 2026, North Korea conducted tests of strategic cruise missiles and other weapons from this destroyer. Afterward, Kim Jong-un ordered the ship to be commissioned into the fleet within two months.
The strengthening of the DPRK's naval capabilities comes amid the start of joint military exercises involving the United States, South Korea, and Japan. The five-day Freedom Edge exercises began on September 7 and are aimed, in particular, at enhancing capabilities to counter nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.
In July, North Korea tested a new destroyer equipped with strategic cruise missiles.
